27 Tickets To Team 134: Signing Day Edition

What is this? Folks who cover the USMNT drop lists like this projecting the 23 guys who end up on the next World Cup team. I have appropriated it. Regarding the number of tickets: 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 kickers + nickelback + FLEX TE + fullback.

This is the Signing Day Update. Certain recruits are added, NFL departures (or returns) are accounted for, and bowl performances are taken into account. Next update is after spring practice, which should see more significant movement.

PACK YOUR BAGS

1. T Taylor Lewan, Sr* [Last time: NR]

Jake Long wannabe took second-to-last step to full clone by forgoing sure first-round status in this year's draft to return for senior year. Upside: shut off Clowney in bowl game, gives Michigan second returning starter, was All-American last year. Downside: has reportedly sold his twosie.

2. OLB Jake Ryan, Jr* [Last time: 1]

The Barbarian is Michigan's best defensive player and a lock for preseason first-team All Big Ten. Can change direction in a flash; consistently shocks opponents with his explosive acceleration.

3. T Michael Schofield, Sr* [Last time: 2]

Schofield came into his own midway through last year. Getting some NFL draft buzz now; shut down a talented SoCar bookend in the bowl. Could move to guard if necessary; ideally remains outside.

4. K Brendan Gibbons, Sr* [Last time: 4]

Groza semifinalist and hair enthusiast has turned his career around after early struggles. Hit 52-yarder last year en route to record accuracy for Michigan kicker. Likes brunettes and Keystone Light.

5. FLEX Devin Funchess, So [Last time: 5]

Should break out for real after a year to bulk up and work on his routes. Frequently targeted a year ago without effect, will need some outside threats to develop to truly annihilate defenses.

6. WR Jeremy Gallon, Sr* [Last time: 6]

Former Rodriguez slot-dot is Michigan's leading receiver and should be again. Still a somewhat awkward fit as an outside receiver; a threat on end-arounds and screens. Punt return job may be up for grabs.

7. QB Devin Gardner, Jr.* [Last time: 12]

Late-season rankings slide of Shane Morris and solid bowl performance move Gardner from very likely to be Michigan's starter to a holy lock. No true freshman is supplanting him.

8. S Thomas Gordon, Jr* [Last time: 7]

Safety attached to notorious six-pack has been a steady performer and a major contributor to Michigan's extreme lack of big plays allowed in the Mattison era.

9. NT Quinton Washington, Sr* [Last time: 8]

Season surprise emerged into upper-echelon Big Ten nose tackle out of nowhere. Has the physical ability to be an NFL player. Requires your head, sorry, nothing personal.

10. CB Raymon Taylor, Jr [Last time: 9]

Filled in admirably for Countess. Avery won't pass him, and it's doubtful any freshman will. Still needs to tighten up his zone coverage but has excellent size and athleticism for the position. Likely to move to boundary corner.

UNLESS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS

11. G Kyle Kalis, Fr* [Last time: 10]

Most college-ready OL out of the Midwest in years probably could have—probably should have—started last year. If he does not ascend to starting job will have been beaten out by a classmate, freshman, or walk-on. Not happening; cue Imperial March.

12. SLOT Drew Dileo, Sr [Last time: 14]

Sticky-fingered Louisiana gnome proved his mettle in 2012. If a pass is physically reachable by him, will be brought in. Feet will motor afterwards. Lacks top gear.

13. TE AJ Williams, So [Last time: 15]

Converted OL Michigan's best bet at inline blocking TE sort; needs to work on his technique in a serious way. Could near 300 pounds after an offseason in the weight room. Fears no fish.

14. NICKEL Courtney Avery, Sr. [Last time: 16]

Pressed into service as a started his freshman year before settling into perpetual third-best-corner-on-rosterdom. Will see half of the defensive snaps, covering slots and the like.

15. ILB Desmond Morgan, Jr [Last time: 3]

Major drop from last time out; was overranked to begin with since Bolden is pushing from behind. Excellent frosh play in bowl game puts job under a bit more threat. Realistically it'll be hard to move out of the MLB spot.

16. C Jack Miller, So* [Last time: 12]

Kugler buzz sees Miller slide a bit as his competition will come in far readier than most to start from day one. Still seems unlikely a guy with a labrum injury can find the strength as a freshman to displace him.

FAIRLY SAFE BET

17. CB Blake Countess, So* [Last time: 17]

With Courtney Avery seemingly comfortable in the slot, Countess is likely to reclaim the field corner job he locked down midway through his freshman season… as long as he isn't hampered by lingering effects of his injury.

18. S Jarrod Wilson, So [Last time: 18]

Early enrollee groomed as the Kovacs heir apparent as soon as he arrived, playing in certain nickel and dime packages as a freshman. Has not appeared on The Price Is Right, that's 'shopped, rookie. Marvin Robinson may challenge.

19. ILB James Ross, So [Last time: 19]

The only thing keeping Ross so low is classmate Joe Bolden; the two freshmen split snaps with veterans and played well. Ross seemed more instinctive and gets the nod here; had a great day against Northwestern and just needs 20 pounds to be a quality option.

IN A BATTLE

20. RB Derrick Green, Fr [Last time: NR]

Yep: making the switch here, as Fitzgerald Toussaint now has to deal with not only DeVeon Smith but a 220 pound slab of muscle coming in with as much hype as it is possible to garner. Tailback is an immediate-impact spot.

21. WDE Brennen Beyer, Jr. [Last time: 22]

Beyer has nosed ahead of Frank Clark and Mario Ojemudia since he's a better run defender. Recruiting sites liked him best, too. Likely to split time with the other two contenders here even if given the green light as a starter.

22. G Chris Bryant, So* [Last time: 23]

Mountain-sized guard missed 2012 with a broken leg; will return for spring practice. Has to fend off freshmen and walk-ons, mostly. The non-Kalis guard spot will see a lot of intrigue.

23. SDE Keith Heitzman, So* [Last time: 24]

Started to rack up meaningful snaps late in the year; will have to fend off challenges from Tom Strobel and possibly Chris Wormley and Jibreel Black, if he's not at three-tech. Injury-enforced retirement of Nate Brink means he's at least going to reprise his role this year.

24. DT Jibreel Black, Sr. [Last time: 25]

Nominally in line to replace Will Campbell at starting three-tech but will be pushed hard by trio of redshirt freshmen, and may move out to SDE. May not have the size to start at his current position.

25. WR Amarah Darboh, So. [Last time: 26]

Someone large and leapy will have to pick up where Gardner and Roundtree(?) left off. Darboh did nothing as a freshman but seems likely to move in front of Jeremy Jackson and others to claim the other spot outside.

26.FB Joe Kerridge, So* [Last Time: NR]

Stephen Hopkins' departure makes Kerridge the leader at fullback when face-smashing is called for; the additions of Khalid Hill and Wyatt Shallman may move Kerridge to the bench for periods of time when Borges wants pass-catchers at the spot. Houma?

27. P Matt Wile, Jr [Last Time: NR]

Bowl suspension has Will Hagerup on thin ice, thin enough that it seems 50/50 he returns, at best. If Hagerup is out the door, Michigan won't miss much of a beat with Wile, who averaged 48 yards a kick in the bowl game. Picture may be slightly old.

Jabreel Black will definitely start, but where depends on the best option next to him. I'll take Sophomore Pipkins over RS Sophomore Heitzman to compete for a starting job, and Black's better suited as an End, regardless.

Why, you may ask? We just brought in not only the #1RB in the country, but also a a second RB who was the #1 RB in Ohio. Both of these guys fit exactly what our staff wants to do with the offense. Also, there is a good chance that Fitz will return.

What leads you to believe that Norfleet can possibly crack the rotation? Last year, we has absolutely zero production from the RB spot, and he STILL couldn't get carries, so you think that he is going to pass Green, Smith and Fitz?

This is not a post trashing Norfleet. He is a very fast kid. But speed alone does not translate to RB success. If it were that easy, every sprinter would be making NFL $$. Norfleet is seriously undersized, which could be a problem when he has to block. Also, from his returns (which I have been generally happy with), he does appear to lack vision to make the right cut. That, of course, could be a youth thing.

So, all of that said, why are you so eager to see Norfleet return to RB and sit behind numerous others on the bench?

Well, we still need to fill the role Vincent Smith had as a 3rd down back. It would either be Nofleet or Hayes. I can't speak towards either of their blocking ability (guaranteed to be a step down from "pound-for-pound the toughest blocker on the team,") but I'm not convinced it's impossible for him to claim that role.

First off, many teams do not use a 3rd down back - if their regular every down RB has the requisite skill set, teams tend to roll with that one back.

Second, just b/c V. Smith was a tiny guy, that does not mean that every 3rd down back has to be tiny. As I have always understood it, a 3rd down back is one who is a good blocker, and who can catch passes / screens dump-offs, etc. Why does that limit our options to Norfleet or Hayes? Why not Green. Smith, Shallman or Fitz?

When I said "3rd down back," I meant is as a general term for more of a change-of-pace type back. With a back like that, the most important aspects are blocking and elusiveness after the catch in instances of dump-offs. While one of our starters may be able to fill that role, I think it's beneficial to have a back that excels at catching balls out of the backfield and make defenders miss, especially since we're moving towards more of an interior-running, brute force style offense.

I figured that's how you meant 3rd down back - I use the two somewhat interchangeably, as well.

And I do like the idea of having an elusive RB for certain situations, but I am not sure why people assume that just because Norfleet is fast he is elusive? I like the kid, and think that he has potential to be a good return man (especially if he improves his vision and decisions-making), but I just don't see him playing a role in our offense going forward.

I meant to say that although they've struggle somewhat in conference play, I'm most excited about the continued development and utilization as "x-factors" by both coaches. I'd say these two are my favorites among each freshman class.

I mentioned this in a post above, buy aside from being tiny, why do you believe that Hayes would be a good 3rd down back? Is he a good blocker? Does he have good hands? Because those are the key criteria for a 3rd down back. Being tiny is not.

I think it's possible that the coaches are just pretty adamant about redshirting offensive linemen, but maybe we're as little star struck by Kalis. Totally agree with regard to Gallon, though - apparently no one will give him credit for his ability as a downfield threat until he grows four inches.